Here is an excellent little video that explains how washing with soap and water kill viruses, including the COVID19 virus. It even explains the 20 second rule with a clever experiment – all in less than four minutes.
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Recent News
COVID19 on Allotments
Advice on corona virus from LAF and NAS.
Here is some advice from Leeds Allotments Federation about coping with the corona virus emergency on your plots.
Follow Government Advice at all times, and remain at a distance of at least 2mtrs from other allotment holders. Don’t gather in sheds. Use hand sanitiser or soap & water as you enter and leave site. (We can’t supply this at the moment due to the panic buying). Be mindful of other allotment holders who may need help if they can’t get to site regularly. If you are displaying any of the symptoms associated with Coronavirus stay away from site until you are clear & if you decide to self-isolate for 12 weeks let your committee know via email/text so they know you won’t be around for a while and won’t hassle you over your plot not being cultivated.
Please be respectful if people don’t want to engage in conversation and don’t go onto anyone else’s plot unless they invite you. This is a situation which is changing daily and we need to ensure our own and other people’s safety.
The National Allotment Society also has a page about Covid 19 Emergency Measures with a list of important precautionary measures.
Concern over Health of UK’s Soils
How healthy are our soils?
The Sustainable Soils Alliance has raised concerns over the lack of testing of knowledge about the state of health of the UK’s soils, according to a BBC report.
AGM 2020 Cancelled
This year’s AGM has been cancelled because of COVID19.
Our AGM for 2020, which should have taken place on 24th March has been CANCELLED, out of concern for our members’ health in light of the COVID19 emergency.
Learning Day 2020-03-07 Report
Our first learning day of 2020 was held at Pudsey Civic Hall on 7th March. Over 100 people signed up, and made a lively, attentive audience for both the display stands and the interesting talks. Leeds Allotments Federation Chair, Derek Hanton welcomed us all and introduced the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Eileen Taylor, who opened the day with some remarks about the importance of gardening and food growing.
After the morning’s talks there was a free fish & chip lunch and a chance to socialize. Then there were talks in the afternoon, followed by a Question and Answer session. The day was brought to a close by Cllr Stuart Golton, Vice President of LAF.
A BIG “thank you” is due to everyone who contributed to the organization of the day, to all of the speakers and the organizations mounting displays, and especially to Leeds City Council Parks & Open Spaces for their generous help in paying the the excellent venue and for providing one of the speakers.
Display Stands
There was a wide range of interesting displays from different groups around Leeds, such as Leeds Allotments Federation, National Allotments Society, NAS Yorkshire, Leeds Beekeepers Association, Leeds City Council Pest Control Service, Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside.
Talks
Bee Diversity on Allotments, by Emilie Ellis of Sheffield University
Download the Slides from Emilie’s talk.
Feed Leeds, by Tom Bliss and Sonia Woodcock
Download the slides from Tom’s talk.
Choosing and Caring for Tools, by Joe Foster of Hollin Lane Allotments
Download the slides from Joe’s talk.
GDPR and Safeguarding, by Joanne Clough of Leeds City Council
Download slides from Joanne’s talk.
Composting, by Mick Poultney, Fellow of the National Vegetable Society
You can watch him talking about compost on youtube.
Pruning Fruit Trees and Bushes, by Joe Lofthouse of RHS Harlow Carr
Download the slides from Joe Lofthouse’s talk.
Raised Beds & No Dig, by Mick Poultney
You can watch him talking about his raised beds on youtube.
Disappointment for Huddersfield Allotments
The BBC reports that the court of appeals has ruled against campaigners trying to preserve plots at Cemetery Road Allotments in Huddersfield.
Learning Day 2019-10-19 Report
Our second learning day for 2019
Our second learning day for 2019 took place on Saturday 19 October at Burley St Mattias’ Church Centre, St Matthias’ Street , LS4 2DZ
Talks:
Looking After Your Back: A talk by Marie and Bernadette from Leeds Sports Injury and Physiotherapy Clinic Ltd with demonstrations of core-muscle strengthening exercises, and warm-ups to do before starting heavy work.
After the Harvest: A talk about herbal infusions, balms and vinegars with lots of samples to sniff by Donna Cutting from Fork to Fork.
LAF Group Allotment Insurance Scheme: Ken Mulley-Smith told us about about LAF’s group allotment insurance scheme, and why it is very important for allotment associations to be adequately insured. (slides)
Bee Keeping: Alison from the Leeds Beekeepers Association told us about the life cycle of honey bees and why they are so important to allotments. She demonstrated some modern beekeeping equipment.
Fresh Veg 12 Months of the Year: A talk by Joe Foster from Hollin Lane Allotments about harvesting fresh vegetables all round, including the June “hungry gap”. (slides)
Allotments Question Time: Questions from the floor, and answers from our resident “experts”.
Plus Refreshments and Displays
Gardeners Live Longer
Studies show that people who garden live longer.
Several studies reported by the BBC show that people who garden live longer and are healthier.
Diet, physical activity, mental engagement and social connection are all important factors, and growing food on an allotment takes care of all four.
British Pollinators in Trouble
A study reported by the BBC shows a decline in many kinds of wild bees and hoverflies across Britain.
Allotments are Best for Bees
A study of pollinators in Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh and Reading has shown that allotments are the best urban environment for bees, including wild bees.